Heavy monsoon rains have caused landslides in Kerala, India, killing at least 45 people and leading to the rescue of around 250 others. The landslides have turned the area into a scene of mud and debris, making rescue efforts challenging.
In Wayanad district, where the landslides struck, roads have been blocked, complicating relief efforts. District official D.R. Meghasree confirmed that 45 people have died and another 116 are receiving hospital treatment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on social media, and images from the National Disaster Response Force show rescue teams navigating through thick mud to find survivors and recover bodies. The landslides have left homes covered in sludge and scattered debris across the area.
The Indian army has deployed over 200 soldiers to assist with rescue operations, working alongside state security forces and firefighters. Kerala’s excise minister M.B. Rajesh reported that more than 250 people have been rescued so far.
Prime Minister Modi announced that families of the victims would receive compensation of $2,400.
Further rain and strong winds are expected in Kerala, according to the state’s disaster management agency.
Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, a former MP for Wayanad, described the situation as “heartbreaking” and called for a comprehensive plan to address the increasing frequency of natural disasters.
While the monsoon rains are essential for agriculture and water supply, they also bring risks like landslides and floods. Experts say climate change is making these problems worse, along with issues such as deforestation and poorly managed development projects.
Earlier this month, intense storms flooded Mumbai, and lightning in Bihar killed at least 10 people. Kerala also faced severe flooding in 2018, and the deadliest landslide in recent decades occurred in 1998 in the Himalayas, killing at least 220 people.